Sprint today announced its latest Mil-Spec 810G touchscreen smartphone. For workers in the trenches, families at the beach or the snowboarder knee deep in powder - Kyocera Torque, is built to survive extreme elements and everyday use. Here's more info:

Torque is an ultra-rugged, Android 4G LTE smartphone featuring Sprint Direct Connect push-to-talk service and Kyocera's award-winning Smart Sonic Receiver audio technology. The technology eliminates the need for a traditional speaker in a handset, instead using vibrations to transmit sounds directly to the eardrum with unparalleled sound quality. Placing the phone in contact with the general area of the ear creates clear sound even in very noisy environments such as construction sites, sporting events, concerts and playgrounds.

Torque will be available this spring; exact availability and pricing will be announced this quarter. Demo devices will be available in the coming weeks. Please let me know if you would like a device.

Waterproof, Dirt-Proof, Drop-Proof

Built to Military Standard 810G, Torque is made to withstand water, dust, shock, vibration, solar radiation, humidity, and extreme temperatures, along with IP67 standards for dust and water immersion.Torque has been tested to hold up against life's extremes - including some most people will never see - to help ensure it will be there when you need it, including:

-Waterproof whether sprayed or immersed in up to one meter of water for up to 30 minutes, Torque can handle all the rain, sprinklers, hoses, spit, drool, drinks, sinks or toilet water life can throw at it - that's more than can be said of the around 82 million handsets in the U.S. that have already been destroyed by liquid.-Extreme Temperatures of -22* to 140*F (-30* to 60*C) for a non-operating unit for two hours and -4* to 122*F (-20* to 50*C) for an operating unit for three hours - from backcountry snowboard trips to hikes in Death Valley, don't sweat it.-Dropped 26 times from 4 feet high - or, the average week with kids at the playground.-Heavy dust for six hours - going off the grid while off-roading and camping will never be an issue.-Horizontal, vertical and sideways vibrations for one hour - that mountain bike ride or roller coaster will be no match for Torque.-Exposure to salt fog, for a complete 48 hour cycle; this cycle includes 24 hours exposure to salt fog followed by 24 hours drying time - ideal for surfers, beach lovers or those who left their hearts and phones in San Francisco.95 percent humidity for 10 days straight - the phone can handle it, but its owners may not.-Solar radiation exposure of 1120 W/m2 for 24 hours - you might need sunscreen, but your phone doesn't mind soaking up some rays.-Low pressure at 57.11 kPa/15,000 feet (4,572 meters) for two hours - higher than the tallest mountain peak in the lower 48 U.S. states.